Claire M. Dejasse Lapolla

Claire M. (Dejasse) Lapolla, 93, passed away November 19, 2017. She was the wife of the late Saverio “Sam” Lapolla. Born in Theux, Belgium, she was a daughter of the late Fernand and Alice (Heynen) Dejasse. Claire was the loving mother of Alice C. Madden and her husband Kenneth, Daniel S. Lapolla and his wife Mary Ann, Michael J. Lapolla and his wife Ann, and Joyce M. Lapolla Hynes and her husband Dennis; devoted “memere” of 10; “great-memere” of 9; and sister of the late Antonia Neuray and Andree Zanelli. She was a part of family that still extends from Belgium to the United States.

Mrs. Lapolla was raised in Jupille-sur-Meuse, Liege, Belgium in a strong family setting and studied into her collegiate years until they were interrupted by World War II. She met her husband Sam while he was stationed with the US Army in Belgium and, after the war, corresponded with him until deciding to join him in the United States and marry in 1946. She worked in the jewelry industry in Rhode Island, and also had a career as a postal clerk in the first automated postal office in the United States at Corliss Street in Providence.

Mrs. Lapolla was an avid gardener, seamstress, knitter, phenomenal cook, animal lover, and fan of the opera. As such a fan, she had been a volunteer at the Providence Performing Arts Center. She also was a strong supporter of the Howard-Rogers American Legion Post, where her husband had previously been a commander. She was an active volunteer and supporter of St. Thomas Church in Providence as well. As a mother she always put her family first and became ‘memere’ to the extended family. She is remembered by friends for her warmth and her sweet Belgian-French accent.

Visitation and funeral, Friday 9-10:30 a.m. in the PONTARELLIMARINO Home, 971 Branch Avenue, Providence followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. in St. Thomas Church, 65 Fruit Hill Avenue, Providence. Burial will follow in St. Ann Cemetery, Cranston.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Elmhurst Boys, a local 501© 3 tax exempt organization dedicated to local causes such as Emmanuel House, Keep The Heat On, St. Vincent de Paul Society and other worthy needs in the community. Donations to The Elmhurst Boys may be sent c/o Thomas Zelano, President, 70 Carteret Street, Providence, RI 02908.